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The Victory Cigar: A Timeless Tradition of Triumph
March 14, 2025
There’s something unmistakable about the aroma of a fine cigar — the smell of success, battles won, and challenges overcome. Whether it’s a championship locker room, a long-awaited business deal, or a significant personal milestone (birth of a child, marriage, etc.), cigars have long been the mark of victory. This is a tradition rooted in history, one that spans sports, business, and life itself.
For generations, cigars have symbolized status, accomplishment, and the rewards of perseverance. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, they were a staple of high society, gifted among peers to commemorate major moments. Captains of industry and political leaders alike would mark their triumphs with a fine cigar, reinforcing its place as a time-honored custom.
History’s greatest figures understood this well. Winston Churchill, one of the most formidable leaders of the 20th century, rarely appeared without a cigar in hand. He saw cigars as more than just indulgences — they were tools for focus, moments of solace amid global turmoil.
Few sports traditions are as iconic in modern times as the victory cigar. Legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach famously lit one up on the bench when he knew victory was secure. His tradition became part of basketball history, a mark of dominance that players and fans recognized.
College football also embraces this ritual. Each October, after the historic Alabama-Tennessee rivalry game, the winning team enjoys cigars in the locker room — a celebration that has become as much a part of the event as the game itself.
Icons like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Joe Burrow have carried the torch for this tradition, often seen with cigars in hand after their biggest wins. More recently, the Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Super Bowl championship celebration saw cigars take center stage, a testament to their enduring place in sports culture.
The power of the victory cigar extends well beyond sports. In the business world, it’s a sign of achievement, a way for executives to mark the close of a major deal, a well-earned promotion, or the end of a long and successful career. It’s a way to reflect on the journey and acknowledge the hard work it took to reach the top.
Even in personal life, cigars play a role in marking life’s milestones. The age-old tradition of passing out cigars to celebrate a wedding, the birth of a child, or commemorating a loved one at a funeral speaks to their deeper meaning — they are not just for personal enjoyment but for sharing moments of triumph with those closest to us.
What makes the cigar the ultimate symbol of victory? It’s about patience, craftsmanship, and the experience itself.
Unlike other indulgences, cigars are meant to be savored. A fine cigar is handcrafted with care, using aged tobacco leaves that produce rich, complex flavors. Each draw is a reminder of the journey — the perseverance, discipline, and effort it took to succeed.
More than that, cigars foster camaraderie. Whether it’s teammates in a locker room, business partners in a boardroom, or friends gathered in celebration, the ritual of lighting a cigar brings people together, turning personal victories into shared experiences.
Despite changing times, the victory cigar remains as meaningful as ever. From historic battlefields to championship arenas, from corporate offices to quiet moments of reflection, lighting a cigar represents success, resilience, and well-earned triumph. Whether it’s an athlete celebrating a championship, a business leader marking a career milestone, or a new parent welcoming his child into the world . . . this tradition endures.
So, the next time you see a champion light up, remember — it’s not just about the smoke. It’s about the journey, the struggle, and the well-earned moment of celebration.
This post was originally published with the Premium Cigar Association.
Rob Burgess is a national Republican strategist and Chief Executive Officer at Connector, Inc. — a boutique government relations and political affairs firm with offices in Washington, D.C., and Dallas, Texas.